There are few experiences in life quite as exciting as buying your first home. When you make this purchase, you realize that you now have a place to call your own for as long as you like – and you have the freedom to do whatever you would like with that property to improve it and make it more useful.   

For some first-time home buyers, adding a steel carport to the property shortly after moving in is going to make a great investment. Whether you don’t have an attached garage on the property to use, or you have other ideas for what you’d like to get out of the addition of a carport, it’s important to understand the process and know what you are purchasing. This guide will help you make those decisions clearly and with confidence.   

When you are ready to buy, American Steel Carports, Inc. would love to serve you. It all starts with our Build & Price tool, where you’ll be able to experiment with different customizations and create a carport that will fit your space and work for your needs. To get help from our expert team, just contact us, and we’ll get in touch shortly.   

Playing by the Rules  

Unfortunately, we need to start this article by covering a topic that isn’t particularly fun or exciting – permitting and zoning. As with so many other things, there is going to be some red tape that you have to deal with in this process, and it’s best to get this out of the way from the start. Look into the rules that apply to your property with the relevant government entity – likely the city or county – to figure out what you can build and where you can build it. If necessary, apply for a permit as soon as possible so any delays don’t hold you back. Too many people put off, or even ignore, this point and it comes back to hurt them later.  

Evaluate Size and Placement of a Steel Carport 

It’s important to pick out just the right spot on your property for this new carport to land. In some cases, site selection will be obvious, as you may only have one spot on your property that is suitable for a carport. If you have a big property with a lot of options, however, look for a spot that is already pretty level, isn’t in a low area that will collect water, and is easy enough to reach from your house itself.   

Site selection is going to help you determine how big the carport can be. Look at the space you have available while also thinking about what it is that you want to use this carport for moving forward. Of course, if it will be for parking, it needs to be big enough – both from side to side and in terms of height – to accommodate the vehicles that you have in mind.   

Any Additional Features?  

If this is your first home and your first carport, you might imagine that carports are pretty plain and generic from one to the next. That’s not at all the case, however, and there are many other features you can add to a carport beyond legs and a roof that will make it more functional. For instance, if you want extra protection from the weather, adding a wall to one or more sides of the building is possible and can be a great idea. Or, you might want to add an enclosed storage area at the back where you can keep some things protected from the weather when not in use. Take a moment to explore the custom features that are offered so you don’t miss out on something that would be rather helpful for your needs.   

Thinking About The Style of a Steel Carport 

With all of the practical choices and considerations out of the way, you will also want to consider the look of your carport before placing your order and putting the wheels officially in motion on this job. You can pick from a number of different paint colors, for example, and the colors you pick will have a lot to do with the appearance of the house you just purchased. If the carport is going to be rather close to the house, make sure the two colors will play nicely with one another. It’s often difficult to match the house color precisely, so it might be a better bet to pick something that will create a pleasing contrast between the two buildings.   

Build a Custom Steel Carport for Your New Home 

Buying your first home is exciting enough, but being able to add a steel carport to your property will only enable you to get more function and enjoyment out of the house. Having success with this project will depend on the partner you select for the job, and American Steel Carports, Inc. is sure to deliver the results you love. If you’d like a free quote, please contact us today, and let’s get this process started.